Greg, who was born and raised in Pasadena, California, was introduced to the world of numismatics by his uncle, Gene Calvert. One year, when he was about 11 years old, his uncle gave him a coin album for Christmas. Two years later, Greg attended his first coin club meeting with his uncle. F​rom these initial experiences Greg soon developed into a collector, but equally quickly to develop was his interest in the business and trading side of the rare coin market.
 
During his high school years, Greg learned that he was able to mak​e extra money buying and selling coins. His transition from a hobbyist to a dealer came naturally, especially since weekend trips to local coin shows provided Greg with enough money that he did not need to have another job while going to school. He eventually ended up selling coins to his high school principal as well as his friends.

After graduating from high school, Greg began attending college while also working for Nick Buzolich, Sr. and Nick Buzolich, Jr. at Quality Coin Exchange, a father-son wholesale partnership. The year was 1980, and Greg credits them with giving him his first formal education in the coin industry.

Greg next moved on to a coin buyer position with a retail operation in Newport Beach, California. During his nine-year tenure with the firm he helped bring in more than $120 million worth of coins. He started his own coin business in 1990.

Today, as CEO of Stack's Bowers Galleries and Amark, Greg manages an international collectibles network with affiliates headquartered on three continents.

Greg is a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), a life member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), and a member of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA). He is married, loves spending time with his children and is a big fan of the California Angels and Los Angeles Lakers.

Brian Kendrella has served as President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries since July 2013, following the consolidation of Spectrum Group International’s numismatic operations—including Stack’s Bowers Galleries, Teletrade, and Spectrum Numismatics—into a single, unified brand. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into a global operation with locations across the United States and international offices in Paris, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, and Vancouver.

Mr. Kendrella has driven significant innovation in technology and digital strategy, leading the development of the company’s online platforms and customer engagement tools. These advancements have helped Stack’s Bowers Galleries dramatically expand its reach and establish itself as a global leader in the numismatic industry. He has been recognized as one of Coin World’s Most Influential People in Numismatics for three consecutive years.

Mr. Kendrella works closely with collectors, consignors, and their advisors on the sale and management of significant collections. Notable clients he has worked with include D. Brent Pogue (the most valuable coin collection ever sold at auction), Joel R. Anderson (the most valuable paper money collection ever sold at auction), L. E. Bruun (the most valuable non-U.S. coin collection ever sold at auction), as well as T. Boone Pickens, Paul McCartney, the United States Mint, The Royal Mint, and the Smithsonian Institution.

A recognized authority in rare coins and collectibles, Mr. Kendrella has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, and CNN, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, and Robb Report.

Before being named President, Mr. Kendrella served as Director of Operations for Spectrum Group International, overseeing worldwide numismatic operations and managing auction houses specializing in fine and rare wines, collectible arms and armor, and philately.

Earlier in his career, he was an investment banker at Roth Capital Partners (2004–2009), where he advised small- and micro-cap companies on mergers, acquisitions, and public and private equity financings.

Mr. Kendrella holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a dual emphasis in Corporate Finance and Investment Markets from the University of Southern California. He is a current member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Orange County Chapter.

Andrew Glassman graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 1989 with Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting, and completed his Certified Public Accountant requirements in 2003. He joined Spectrum Numismatics in 1991 as Controller, took over as Chief Financial Officer in 2000, and as President in 2009. He also served as member of the Board of Directors for Spectrum Numismatics. He is currently CFO of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. During Andrew’s time with Spectrum Numismatics, the firm grew into an internationally recognized, preeminent rare coin and currency dealer. Now as part of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries executive team, he strives daily to uphold and expand the company’s tradition of being the most active buyer and seller of rare coins, and considers himself extremely fortunate to work with one of the finest staffs in the entire rare coin industry.

Andrew is a member of the Professional Numismatic Guild (PNG) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA). He has been married over 30 years and has two children.

Q. David Bowers, is perhaps the best-known and most noteworthy numismatist of the last 50 years. Beginning in 1953, Dave's contributions to numismatics have continued uninterrupted and unabated to the present day. His work with rare coins is so voluminous and so extraordinary that he was named by COINage magazine in 1999 as one of the "Numismatists of the Century," one of only six living individuals to receive this honor. Dave's dedication to the hobby and his lifelong interest in rare coins, along with his pursuit of scholarly knowledge, have made him one of the most honored and revered numismatists of all time. Dave is the only person to have served as president of both the Professional Numismatists Guild (1977-1979) and the American Numismatic Association (1983-1985). He has received the highest honor from the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), the Founders Award; and from the ANA, he has received its two most distinguished awards — Numismatist of the Year and the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award, and is enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He lectures annually at Harvard University and has appeared on the "Today Show" as well as programs on CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, The Discovery Channel, and The History Channel.

Dave is the most prolific numismatic author of our generation, having produced 50 works, hundreds of auction and other catalogs, and several thousand articles, mostly written in the field of rare coins. In 2000-2003 he was central in the marketing of the gold coins and ingots from the vast treasure of the S.S. Central America and wrote the definitive book on the subject, A California Gold Rush History Featuring Treasure from the S.S. Central America. He also serves as numismatic director of Whitman Publishing LLC, where he has produced many other books including more than a half dozen in the very popular Bowers Series. More of Dave’s books have won “Book of the Year” honors from the Numismatic Literary Guild than any other author. From the PNG, he has received the coveted Friedberg Award a record seven times! During his illustrious career, he has cataloged and sold at public auction many of the finest and most valuable and important collections ever assembled, with The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg Collection, Ambassador and Mrs. R. Henry Norweb Collection, The Garrett Collection (for The Johns Hopkins University), The Harry W. Bass, Jr., Collection, and The Walter W. Childs Collection, being but a short list.

Dave is a trustee of the New Hampshire Historical Society and a fellow of the American Antiquarian Society, the American Numismatic Society, and the Massachusetts Historical Society. He has been a consultant for the Smithsonian Institution, the Treasury Department, and the U.S. Mint. For many years he was a guest lecturer at Harvard University.  In Wolfeboro, NH, he is on the Board of Selectmen and is the town historian. 

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our friend and founder, Harvey G. Stack on January 3, 2022. His leadership over the years spearheaded our operations and his kindness and mentorship to staff, collectors, dealers, numismatic organizations and colleagues will never be forgotten.

Harvey was born in Manhattan on June 3, 1928, the son of Morton M. Stack and Muriel Stack. He grew up in Bronx and Jamaica, New York and attended NYU. His life revolved around his family and around numismatics, as generations of the Stack family built upon the rare coin business founded in 1933 by Harvey's father, Morton, and his uncle Joseph at 690 Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. Presenting their first public auction in 1935, Stack's quickly progressed to larger premises and a growing reputation. Although as a youngster Harvey worked after school and during vacations at the firm's Manhattan coin store, it wasn't until 1947 that he went to work full time for Stack's Rare Coins, a career that would last more than 70 years. As one of the second generation of family members to join the firm, Harvey worked alongside his father, uncle, and cousins Norman and Benjamin, supported by a staff of experts that comprised many of the most well-known professional numismatists of the 20th century.

In 1953 Stack's moved to a gallery at 123 West 57th Street, a location that would be home to the firm for more than 60 years and become a popular destination, known as the "clubhouse" for collectors from all over the world. As a family member, Harvey's responsibilities were wide ranging, assisting clients in the store, traveling to pick up collections and attend conventions and coin shows, cataloging auction lots, auctioneering, and any other work that needed to be done. He became an expert in many areas of numismatics and was able to translate his warm and jovial personality into long-term relationships with the collectors and dealers he worked with over his career.

The decades following World War II were times of great growth for Stack's. Besides opening a new and improved location, they were tapped to present at auction many important collections including Anderson-Dupont, Davis-Graves, Charles A. Cass ("Empire"), R.L. Miles, Massachusetts Historical Society, Samuel Wolfson, and George Walton, as well as conducting public auctions in conjunction with major numismatic shows including the American Numismatic Association and the Metropolitan New York conventions. In the 1970s, Harvey's son Larry and daughter Susan joined the firm, bringing in a third generation.

Harvey and the Stack family were instrumental in building some of the greatest collections of their time, including the cabinet of gold coins assembled by Josiah K. Lilly, chairman of the Eli Lilly & Co. pharmaceutical company. After Lilly's death in 1966, his collection of over 6,000 coins became part of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian, a process aided by Harvey and other members of the Stack family. Over the decades, Harvey and the Stack family also built a relationship with Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., who accumulated the only complete collection of United States coins ever formed. In 1976, when the nation was celebrating its Bicentennial, Harvey and the firm helped facilitate the display of Eliasberg's incomparable collection at the United States Mint in Philadelphia.

Harvey Stack's role in numismatics was not purely business. He fought for clearer import regulations on coins from overseas and testified before a congressional subcommittee leading up to the Hobby Protection Act of 1973. He worked with the American Numismatic Association and other professionals in the effort to develop a standardized grading system for coins. In 1996 he appeared before the U.S. House Banking Committee to propose the 50 State Quarters Program, which brought countless new collectors into the hobby. Harvey Stack served on the board of the Professional Numismatists Guild for nearly a decade and acted as its president for two years beginning in 1989. In 1993 he received the PNG's Founder's Award, their highest honor, for his dedication to the hobby. Over the years, Harvey was a great supporter of the American Numismatic Association, the American Numismatic Society, and the Smithsonian Institution. He was a long-term member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists, as well as numerous other numismatic societies.

As the 20th century turned to the 21st, Harvey Stack and Stack's were still going strong, as Larry and Harvey brought to auction the incredible John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, and many other famous name cabinets. In addition, they partnered with Sotheby's in the record-breaking sale of the first 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle to cross the auction block. In 2011, Stack's merged with Bowers and Merena to create Stack's Bowers Galleries, one of the top numismatic auction firms in the country and a company that continues the Stack family's legacy of presenting important numismatic cabinets and realizing record-breaking prices. Harvey remained involved in the new business until the very end, telling the company's history, mentoring staff members, and maintaining his relationships within the hobby. Most recently he and Larry worked with the estate of long-time friends and clients Mark and Lottie Salton to bring their outstanding collection of world and ancient coins to market. It is unfortunate that Harvey will not be there to see the fruits of his labor as this remarkable cabinet crosses the auction block in 2022 and 2023.

Harvey was predeceased by his parents, his uncle Joseph, his cousins Norman and Ben. He is survived by his wife, Harriet, children Larry (Loretta) and Susan (Larry), grandchildren Rebecca (Jimmy) and Matthew (Tanya), and five great-grandchildren: Bryce, Avery, Dylan, Brielle and James.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the American Numismatic Society or a charity of choice. The family can be contacted at [email protected].​

L​awrence R. Stack, son of Harvey Stack, joined the family firm in 1974, having learned much of the business from his own study, dealing, and family experience. He is personally responsible for the development of many important and noteworthy collections and brought several significant collections to Stack’s, including The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The “Dallas Bank” Collection, as well as the world-record sale of the highest price ever realized at auction for a rare coin — the legendary 1933 St. Gaudens Double Eagle (Gold $20) that realized an astonishing $7.59 million (the two latter sales in partnership with Sotheby’s). An experienced collector, Lawrence has formed major collections of French Ecus, Five-Franc pieces, and Ecus d’Or, and his in-depth collection of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon coins ranks high among the finest ever assembled. His Renaissance medals collection is now one of the standard reference works for the field. He is a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and numerous national and international numismatic associations.

Julie Abrams started in numismatics fresh out of college in 1986, when she teamed up with Bernard Rome to launch Teletrade, the first computerized auction company. Well before the advent of internet coin auctions, Teletrade developed a unique auction platform utilizing state-of-the-art digitized voice board technology to run live auctions with remote bidding. As President of Teletrade, Julie helped the company expand in size, increase the frequency of auctions, and grow annual sales to $24 million within a few years.

In 1999, GMAI, a publicly traded company, purchased Teletrade. Julie remained as CEO of Teletrade and served as Executive Vice President of Sales for the parent company.

In 2004, Julie joined Stack’s Rare Coins in New York City. During her tenure with Stack’s, she fostered strategic partnerships and obtained major consignments for the firm’s auctions. In addition, she worked closely with national and international dealers, executed bids for private clients, and was instrumental in expanding the company’s e-commerce presence.

In 2012, Julie worked with Legend Numismatics to create a new auction company, Legend Rare Coin Auctions, a boutique firm focused exclusively on the niche of superb quality United States coins.

Julie is a member of the American Numismatic Association, the Central States Numismatic Association, and Florida United Numismatists. She graduated from the University of Vermont in Burlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Julie travels nationwide to attend major coin shows, where she meets with collectors and dealers to discuss consigning their collections and inventory. She enjoys cooking for her teenage son, who fortunately shares her adventurous palate. Julie is also an avid tennis player, always on the lookout for her next match.

Jeff holds a Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Cornell University. Upon his graduation from Cornell in 1998, Jeff chose to pursue a life-long love of coins. Since then, his passion for coin collecting has blossomed into a successful and rewarding career.

Jeff launched his professional numismatic career in 1999 when he went to work for Heritage Numismatic Auctions (now Heritage Auctions) in Dallas, Texas. There he served as both a Cataloger and the Catalog Production Manager for the firm’s U.S. coin catalogs. After a short stint as a Cataloger with Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills, Jeff moved to California in 2004 to accept the position of Director of Numismatics with Bowers and Merena Auctions of Irvine. He later served as Vice President of Numismatics at Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California.

In 2007, Jeff founded Ambio Rare Coins, Inc., through which he worked as a technical and marketing consultant for rare coin auction houses, dealerships and brokerage firms across the United States, and continued to serve as the Cataloger for Bowers and Merena Auctions (now Stack's Bowers Galleries).

In 2011, Jeff returned to Stack's Bowers Galleries full time to accept the position of Vice President of Numismatics and Auction Production. He is one of the firm's most senior numismatists and is the cataloger for the vast majority of lots in the firm’s U.S. coin and exonumia sales.

In a professional numismatic career stretching back to 1999, Jeff has cataloged hundreds of thousands of lots for auction, played a leading role in the production of hundreds of numismatic catalogs, and handled the rarest and most valuable U.S. and colonial coins and exonumia items.

Jeff has also authored several books and articles during his numismatic career. His books include Collecting & Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars and Collecting & Investing Strategies for Barber Dimes, the latter of which received an Extraordinary Merit Award from the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG).

Jeff’s article “Proof 1840 Seated Dollar Restrikes” for Volume 28, Issue No. 83 of The Gobrecht Journal, also received an Extraordinary Merit Award from the NLG. His articles “Unique Indian Eagle May Have Been First” (November 11, 2002) and “Republic Shipwreck Yields RPM $20” (February 7, 2005) garnered front-page exposure in Coin World. Jeff’s article “The Real Story of the 1894-S Barber Dime” appeared in the Spring 2020 edition of the Journal of the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society and contributed content to the third edition of Whitman’s A Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins by Q. Davd Bowers. Jeff has also contributed to several editions of the well-known reference A Guide Book of United States Coins (The Official "Red Book" of U.S. coins) by R.S. Yeoman since 2008.

Bobby was born in Vineland, New Jersey, and was brought into the world of coins by his father, Daniel. He quickly became involved with the hobby and, with his father, started his own company at the age of 15. He began traveling to all major coin shows and was able to develop a reputation as one of the greatest coin graders in the country. In 2000, Bobby joined Spectrum Group International. Presently, Bobby attends over 30 coin shows a year along with every major auction.

Bobby is a life member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the Silver Dollar Round Table, and the Florida United Numismatics (FUN).

Bobby currently lives in New Jersey with his wife of over 20 years, Cammy, and his two daughters, Madeleine and Chloe. He enjoys spending his free time fishing and hunting.

Wayne Berkley began his numismatic career in 2012 with Teletrade.com, one of the industry’s pioneering online coin auction platforms. There, he worked with thousands of collectors and dealers, facilitating the purchase and sale of rare coins. Following Teletrade’s 2014 merger with Stack’s Bowers Galleries, Wayne played a key role in building out the firm’s Internet-only auction division—now known as the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Collectors Choice Online Auction. As a licensed auctioneer for the firm’s live gallery sales, Wayne has auctioneered over $100 million in coins and currency sold at major auctions worldwide since 2015.

For more than a decade, Wayne has been instrumental in shaping the company’s global presence with his contributions to operations in Hong Kong and Asia. Additionally he managed the firm’s opening in Copenhagen, Denmark where he was instrumental in the sale of the L.E. Bruun Collection of Scandinavian Coinage—one of the most significant collections of world coins ever assembled. In 2020, Wayne was promoted to Vice President of Client Services, a leadership role in which he works closely with bidders and consignors to expand and enhance the firm’s global auction programs.

Before entering the numismatic field, Wayne built a successful career in banking with Wells Fargo in Tampa, Florida, where he worked with investment and private banking clients to support their financial goals. He was consistently recognized as the top banker in his region for both Customer Service and Sales. Wayne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and Business from The Florida State University. He is a member of the American Numismatic Association, International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN), Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), and Florida United Numismatists (FUN).

Henrik Berndt offers more than 15 years of diverse experience acquired in the numismatic departments of prominent auction houses such as Bruun Rasmussen and Spink, London. Most recently, Berndt has single-handedly built a strong and highly respected numismatic auction business at Danish auction house VF-Auktion. Henrik holds a BA in archaeology and worked at a number of Danish museums, including the National museum, before venturing into numismatics. A true collector in many areas, he loves the coin business as well as the intelligent and dedicated collectors and colleagues one finds in the world of collectibles.

Always interested in coinage and history, Jeremy inherited the coin collecting gene from his maternal grandfather. He began in the hobby as many often do—seeking out U.S. type coins and reading the Red Book from cover to cover. While in college, he began working part-time in the brick-and-mortar coin shop that he had visited throughout his youth. There, he gained valuable experience from the “other side of the counter,” interacting with the public by selling to and buying from customers, as well as sorting and cataloging purchases and setting up at local and regional coin shows.

He has continued his experience in the trade by spending the past 18 years working at numerous prestigious auction houses and firms, chiefly in charge of cataloging and presenting ancient and world coins from all areas, as well as researching exonumia (medals and tokens), communicating with customers regarding the evaluation and placement of their consignments, and serving as a representative on bourse floors and at auctions.

At Stack’s Bowers Galleries, he has served as the main contributor to the cataloging and presentation of ancient and world coins, along with more nuanced areas such as medals and tokens. In this role, he has been the driving force and chief cataloger of the firm’s most important and prestigious sales, such as the Richard Margolis Collection of French coins, the Mark & Lottie Salton Collection of ancient coins, and the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection of Russian coins, just to name a few, along with the twice-a-year Rarities Night catalogs for the firm’s Hong Kong Auctions. In particular, these sales have become an industry standard and always feature the most valuable and important coins within the vintage Chinese series. In addition to such headline-grabbing sales, he is also passionate for and an advocate of medallic art, considering medals to be an unexplored treasure that can represent a true “final frontier” of the hobby. In this vein, he always enjoys shedding further light upon this highly interesting aspect of numismatics.

Andrew Bowers, son of Dave and Christie Bowers, earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire in 2003. By that time he had been involved with rare coins all his life—including traveling to national and regional conventions, assisting with auctions, and meeting collectors, dealers, and consignors. He was present and often helped when Bowers and Merena Galleries sold the Norweb, Bass, Eliasberg, and many other great collections.​​

After graduating from UNH he entered the business full time, working at the Wolfeboro office of what became Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Through the years he has taken a personal interest in federal coins, medals, and United States currency. In 2008 he moved to New York City to work with Harvey and Larry Stack and other professional numismatists. Over the years of working at the counter in our Manhattan store, he has worked with thousands of people from all walks of life and all degrees of collecting interests, helping them with their individual needs. Today you can communicate with him or visit at the firm’s gallery at 470 Park Avenue, where he buys and sells coins and paper money, accepts auction consignments, and greets visitors.​​​​​​​

Jason Carter founded Carter Numismatics in 1996 and has since shaped the company into one of the most well-respected rare coin firms in the United States.  With a wide knowledge of all U.S. coinage – from colonial through 20th century – Carter specializes in patterns, territorials, high-end type, bust, seated and Barber rarities.   He is also well versed in all types of U.S. gold coins.
Widely recognized as one of the top coin graders in the country, Carter was the youngest member ever admitted to the Professional Numismatists Guild, a nonprofit group of the world’s top rare coin and paper money experts. He is an American Numismatic Association life member, a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets and a member of the Oklahoma Numismatic Association.  Carter started his career at Heritage Auctions in 1993 prior to forming CNI.

Kelvin Cheung, Director and Senior Numismatist in our Hong Kong office, is one of the hobby’s foremost experts in world paper money and Asian coins. Cheung’s expertise is well known in the numismatic community world-wide, having spent nearly the past decade at Spink, most recently as its Global Head of Banknotes and Bonds. He is highly respected among his peers and collectors.

Cheung first became interested in coins and banknotes as a child in the early 1990s, when his parents gave him foreign coins and currency that came into their fish and chip shop in the United Kingdom. His interest grew throughout his teenage years and while he pursued his education in London, dabbling in part time dealing along the way. In 2006 he started cataloging part time for Spink’s Hong Kong auctions, becoming a full time employee in 2013, a position he held through 2022. During his time at Spink, Cheung was a key contributor to the firm’s significant growth in Asia. Cheung is a member of the International Bank Note Society and the International Bond and Share Society, among other industry affiliations.

Henrik Holt Christensen is Danish and specializes in North Atlantic banknotes and coins. When he was 12 years old his grandmother started sharing her collection with him. Henrik's collecting interests expanded greatly as he traveled beyond Denmark while working as an engineer, experiences that fostered his passion for World Currency. His specialties include Greenland, Faeroes Island, Iceland and all the Scandinavian countries from early vintage "Viking Kings" to modern coins and currency.  Henrik has focused on these countries since his early days of collecting. 
Christensen's professional background is in manufacturing engineering, where he has a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Business Finance/Manufacturing Investments. He worked to address challenges within the automotive manufacturing, oil and gas, hydraulic systems, mining, medical device, and electronics industries. Henrik possess global experience, working in Denmark, Scandinavia, Germany, Poland, England, and South Africa, and he is fluent in five languages, including Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, German and English.
Pursuing his dream of working in the numismatic hobby, in 1998 Christensen started his own company and began traveling in Europe to collector shows, buying and selling world paper money. In 2014, he moved to the United States with his wife and family, and participated in American coin and currency shows. Today Henrik lives with his wife and two children on a farm in Nebraska.

Stanley was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. His interest in coin and paper money collecting started in his youth. After completing his homework and studies, one of his duties in helping at his family bakery in Chinatown was to count and sort coins and currency and prepare them for the bank deposit the next day. He was taught to sort out all the non-U.S. coinage, U.S. silver coinage, and U.S. type coins such Wheat cents, Buffalo nickels, silver certificates, etc. from the general circulating types. Best of all, he got to keep the findings as his reward for identifying them. As his interest in coin and currency collecting grew, his mother brought him to coin shows where he started to collect coins and currency that reflects his heritage, focusing on Chinese and British Hong Kong coins and currency including the British Trade dollar series. After graduating with honors from Suffolk University in Boston with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Accounting, he worked in the accounting field for three years before he started his professional numismatic career. For the next decade, he worked as a numismatist at Colonial Trading Company in Boston prior to joining the Stacks Bowers’ team.

Stanley is a life member at the American Numismatic Association, New England Numismatic Association, Nashua Coin Club, and the Florida United Numismatist. Since 2016, he has been a volunteer district representative for the ANA representing the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. While serving as a district representative, in 2019 he also started serving on the membership committee of the ANA. With his dedication and efforts in promoting and educating others in numismatics, he was awarded with the ANA Presidential Award in 2020. In 2021, the Board of Governors of ANA named him National Program Coordinator leading the district representative and International Ambassador program and was also appointed chairman of the membership committee of the ANA by President Ralph Ross.

In his spare time other than coin and currency collecting, he enjoys playing board games, fishing, cooking, traveling, and visiting museums.

Greg Cohen has been involved in numismatics since childhood when he was given a handful of coins his grandfather had saved from the family hardware store cash register. After graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2006 with a BA in History and dual minors in Economics and Political Science, Greg took a position at R.M. Smythe & Co. In April 2008, Greg began working at Stack’s, where he catalogued United States and world coins for auction and was a familiar face at numismatic conventions and in the New York Gallery. In January 2016, Greg became Senior Numismatist at Legend Rare Coin Auctions where he focused on gathering consignments, writing and research. Today, Greg is once again part of our New York Gallery team.

Greg is a member of the ANA, ANS, FUN, CSNS, John Reich Collector’s Society, Barber Coin Collector’s Club, and the Seated Liberty Collectors Club. Greg lives in New Jersey with his wife and two sons where he enjoys spending time with his family fishing, painting, gardening, cooking, and reading.

Like many of today’s numismatic experts, Bill started in the hobby at a very early age. As a paperboy in his Philadelphia neighborhood, he would occasionally get paid with old silver dollars, Buffalo nickels, and other interesting coins. Since there were many coin shops in downtown Philadelphia, he could take the subway downtown, get advice, and buy and sell from well-known dealers in the area. One dealer allowed him to sit on the floor and read paper printouts of daily transactions from the old “teletype” machine to see what was going on in the market. He also gained experience by delivering purchases to other dealers in the city.

His superb reputation, strong customer relationships, and numismatic expertise have kept Bill at the top of the field throughout his career. He was the Chief Numismatist at Superior Galleries for four years, a grader at Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) for two years, and a Grader/Finalizer at Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) for nine years. Bill has been recognized as an Expert Witness in Federal Court cases on several occasions.

His commitment to the hobby also includes acting as an instructor of Advanced Grading at the summer seminar sessions of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), one of the leading collector organizations. Among Bill’s other passions are car racing and art from the turn of the century.

Andrés brings to Stack’s Bowers Galleries superb numismatic expertise and a focus on Latin America that has long been recognized in the hobby. His passion for numismatics began when he was only four, as his father kept a small safe in the house for his most important keepsakes, including banknotes from his childhood given to him by his grandmother. Andrés was allowed to view and gently handle the notes, and they instantly captured his interest. He and his father then embarked on building a banknote collection together. As the third generation of collectors, Andrés maintains his family’s tradition of collecting banknotes from Colombia, Venezuela, and other Latin American countries, as well as from around the world.

Andrés’ career began with an Industrial and Systems Engineering degree from Florida International University (USA), followed by a master’s degree in economics and international trade from the University of Shanghai (People's Republic of China). As a numismatist, his expertise and talents as a researcher, lecturer, advisor, and author have been highly sought after by a variety of organizations.

Andrés was the president of the Numismatic Foundation of Colombia (NUMISCOL) for more than five years and served as a Numismatic Advisor for the Colombian Central Bank and Curator for the Casa de la Moneda de Bogotá Museum. He also served as president of the Third International Convention of Historians and Numismatists Cartagena 2021, considered one of the most important numismatic events in Latin America to date. In addition, Andrés has over two years of experience grading banknotes with the world-renowned grading firm, Paper Money Guaranty.

Ryan brings to Stack’s Bowers Galleries nearly a decade of experience, specializing in ancient Roman coinage, with a focus on the Twelve Caesars in Gold, Silver, and Bronze. He has built, curated, and placed condition census sets; managed multimillion-dollar inventories, and led successful campaigns across online platforms and private networks. Not only is he an expert in the valuation and buying of very rare ancient coins, but he also enjoys sharing the stories they tell and the connections they inspire between collectors, dealers, and institutions. Ryan is a member of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild.

Ryan greatly enjoys working with people and considers communicating to be among his best skills. Whether building rapport with a new client, teaching the historical context of a rare piece, or presenting a collection strategy to a family office, he strives to bring clarity, insight, and a little bit of wonder into every conversation. He believes in making the ancient world accessible - not just to build another portfolio, but as a way to connect with our humanity.

Outside of work he enjoys exploring the intersections of history, technology, and the human psyche – and approaches life with a researcher's brain and a storyteller’s heart. Whether you are a collector, collaborator or just curious about ancient coins, feel free to contact Ryan at [email protected].

Cassi East began her career in the collectibles industry in 1997 with Kingswood Coin Auctions. Just a year later, in 1998, she was promoted to Director of Auctions for all auction houses then owned by Collectors Universe. These included Auctions by Bowers and Merena, Kingswood, Good Rockin' Tonight, Odyssey Auctions, Lyn Knight Currency, and Superior Sports Auctions.

In 2003, following the sale of the auction divisions by Collectors Universe, Cassi transitioned to the role of Director of Customer Service. There, she managed the customer service teams across CU’s authentication and grading services, enhancing client engagement and operational efficiency.

With the acquisition of Certified Coin Exchange (CCE) in 2006, a sight-seen/unseen, rule-governed trading platform for coin dealers, Cassi was appointed President. Under her leadership, CCE reinforced its position as a trusted marketplace in the numismatic community.

In 2012, Cassi became President of the Long Beach Expo, the largest collectibles show in the United States focused on coins, currency, stamps, and sports cards. She oversaw significant growth and innovation during her tenure.

In 2021, Cassi joined Stack’s Bowers Galleries as Director of Operations. In this capacity, she plays a critical cross-functional role, contributing to nearly every aspect of company operations. Her responsibilities include oversight of inventory control, the wholesale and imaging teams, facilities and construction project management, employee relations and morale, as well as the creation and implementation of company-wide operational policies and manuals. Cassi is known for her versatility and hands-on leadership, stepping in wherever needed to support the firm’s strategic goals and day-to-day success.

The “grand old man” of Danish professional numismatics, Michael Fornitz will lead Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ team of expert numismatists. A native Copenhagener, Fornitz, who holds a M.A. in numismatics, has 40 years of experience in the auction field and has been head of the numismatic department in three Scandinavian auction houses. Through the years Fornitz has cataloged most major Danish single-owner sales of Danish, World and Ancient coins and has orchestrated the most world price records for Danish coins. For the last 20 years he has worked as deputy director and chief numismatist at Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers, a Bonhams’ affiliated firm.

Nicholas got his entry into the world of coin collecting in elementary school, starting with collecting State Quarters and Wheat Cents from pocket change. His love of the hobby was supplemented throughout his time in High School and College as a vest pocket dealer at shows in the Northeast buying and selling world coins. While Nicholas catalogs and works with the entire breadth of World and Ancient coinage, he has particular interest in Indian and Islamic Coinage, along with having an interest in and cataloging highlights from Poland, Russia, China, and Britain. Nicholas maintains an active coin collection, mostly Indian coins from the Mughal Empire.

Outside of the office Nicholas earned a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Leeds and still loves reading philosophy in his free time. He is a big Philadelphia sports fan and collects Philadelphia sports autographs. He also has a great fondness for riding his road bike in Southern California, and most weekends you can find him out on the road.

R​onald J. Gillio is an internationally renowned rare coin dealer, auctioneer, author and researcher who has been active and influential in numismatics for more than 45 years. He joined Stack’s Bowers Galleries in early 2007 as Numismatic Acquisition Coordinator and U.S. and World Coin and Currency Specialist, a position that includes purchasing and obtaining consignments.​

Ron’s involvement in numismatics literally spans the globe. In addition to his work with Stack’s Bowers Galleries, he continues as general chairman of the popular Long Beach and Santa Clara, California Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expos on behalf of the shows' owner, Collectors Universe, Inc. He also continues his retail store in Santa Barbara, California — Gillio Rare Coins & Fine Jewelry, a division of Ronald J. Gillio, Inc. — one of the largest buyers/sellers/importers of rare coins in the United States. He has conducted nearly 80 multi-million dollar auction sales in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, and his résumé includes such well-known names as Pacific Coast Auction Galleries, Butterfield Auction Galleries, Robert R. Johnson, Inc., Baldwin's Auctions of London, Spink London, Taisei Stamps & Coins of Hong Kong and Singapore, and Butterfield-Johnson-Gillio. He is an official appraiser to the State of California and served as an auctioneer for the United States Marshall's Office.​​​

A respected member of the most esteemed numismatic associations, Ron is a past president of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), as well as the recipient of the Founders Award, the highest honor of the PNG. He is a Life Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), and has been a member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) for more than two decades. He is also founding charter member No. 11 of the ​Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Well known for his writings and research in the field, Ron collaborated with Walter Breen in the writing and publishing of the new standard reference book California Fractional Gold. In 1984, he became a contributor to the 37th edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins (The Red Book), and has appeared as such in every subsequent edition. He has also been a contributor to the Standard Catalog of World Coins, the Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins, and the Coin World Almanac.​

Ron is based in our Santa Barbara, California office and can be reached directly at 805-637-5081

Dennis Hengeveld grew up in the Netherlands and has been involved in numismatics since the age of 8 when his grandmother gave him a 19th-century Dutch coin. After a brief hiatus in his early teens, he rediscovered numismatics, initially collecting Dutch coins before focusing on the coinage of the United States through a Guide Book of U.S. Coins he got for his 15th birthday.

Dennis became involved in American numismatics and was active on various coin-related internet message boards. After attending numerous shows in the United States, he moved to California in 2011. In 2014, he founded VOC Numismatics, which specialized in historic world coinage but also offered world paper money, which soon became his passion. This evolved into World Banknote Auctions in 2020, which surpassed $7 million in sales in 2023 and was acquired by Stack’s Bowers Galleries in 2024.

Beyond numismatics, Dennis has a lifelong interest in history and holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject from Southern New Hampshire University. He is also passionate about aviation and holds a private pilot’s certificate, often enjoying day trips around California with his wife and dog.

Dennis is a lifetime member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the International Banknote Society (IBNS) and the Society for Paper Money Collectors (SPMC). He is also the author of Paper Dreams in the Golden State: A History of California Through Its Paper Money, which was published by Stack’s Bowers Galleries in 2024.

Christine Karstedt serves as Executive Vice President for Stack’s Bowers Galleries and is deeply involved with consignors in their auction program. A familiar figure at numismatic conventions and auctions for over 35 years, Chris has built a vast network of hobby contacts during her extensive career. Her unstinting and tireless efforts have helped leading collectors and dealers worldwide obtain the very best prices for coins, tokens, medals, and paper money, working hand-in-hand with experts and departments within our organization.

Chris started with the Bowers and Merena organization in 1989 and familiarized herself with all aspects of numismatic auctions by learning the process from the ground up. Although the name above the door has changed from Bowers and Merena to American Numismatic Rarities to Stack’s and now Stack’s Bowers Galleries, she has been steadfast in her dedication and contributions to the hobby. Chris never took the leap to becoming a professional numismatist, commenting that she had Dave Bowers on the right and Harvey and Larry Stack to the left, therefore having the most respected expertise in the hobby at her fingertips.

Over a long period of years, she has worked with hundreds of buyers and consignors and was instrumental in bringing to market some of the most noteworthy collections of our time, including the D. Brent Pogue Collection, the Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. Collection, the Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection, the Ambassador and Mrs. R. Henry Norweb Collection, the Walter Childs Collection, and the Cardinal Collection, to name a few. She continues to bring many more familiar-name collections to auction each year.

In addition, Chris' ability to attract worldwide attention to the sale of numismatic material placed her at the center of the publicity program for the record-breaking $100 million treasure of the S.S. Central America.

Often asked what she collects, she comments, “I collect friendships with all the consignors I’ve worked with over the years. I enjoy helping them present their consignments in a world-class manner and then enjoy staying in touch. Many times I’ve gone on to assist additional family and friends.”

Chris was recently inducted into the PCGS CoinFacts Coin Dealer Hall of Fame, is a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), a life member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), has been honored as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Numismatics by CoinWorld, and was awarded the Art Kagin Ambassador Award, an honor presented by the PNG for those who provide distinguished service as an advocate of numismatic goodwill.

Adem Karisik's passion for coins and banknotes started at a young age; he began collecting in his early teens. Upon graduating high school in 2019, he became a full-time numismatic dealer, eventually founding Karisik Auctions and opening up an office in Vancouver, British Columbia. He provides a wide array of services for all collectors, dealing in items ranging from modest value to solo known rarities. Adem's expertise encompasses all world banknotes and coins, but he specializes in Canadian and Asian numismatics. Adem enjoys conversing about coins and banknotes with clients and regularly attends major Canadian and U.S. coin shows.

Justin’s interest in numismatics began at the age of eight when his grandmother gifted him his father’s partially filled coin albums, a collection of Morgan and Peace dollars, and a container of coins that had been saved over the course of 40 years. This early experience ignited a lifelong passion for numismatics.

His professional journey began at 16 when he started trading coins. At 19, he gained his first experience working at a numismatic retail establishment, Miami Gold Coins, and since then, he has become a seasoned numismatist through continuous work and dedication to the industry. Over his career, he has operated his own numismatic company and served as Senior Numismatist at a well-known numismatic firm, Pegasus Coin and Jewelry.

He is a long-time member and current life member of both the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Florida United Numismatists (FUN), and he is a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG).

Born and raised in Miami, Justin is a graduate of Gulliver Preparatory School and earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida. He has been an avid collector of Franklin half dollars with Full Bell Lines and has handled tens of thousands of Uncirculated examples.

A native of historic Chester County Pennsylvania and a graduate of the University of Virginia, John h​as been sought out for his expertise on early numismatic Americana since his teen years. For over a decade, he has been a popular annual instructor on early American topics at the American Numismatic Association (ANA) Summer Seminar. As a regular columnist in the ANA journal​  The Numismatist ​​and the national bi-weekly ​Coin World​​ , John has been honored for his research and writing by the ANA and the Numismatic Literary Guild. Several auction catalogs penned by John have become classic reference works, including The LaRiviere Collection of Betts and Indian Peace medals, The Eliasberg Collection of World Gold Coins, and The Roehrs Collection of Regulated Gold. John has been elected by his peers as a member of the Rittenhouse Society, an honorary fraternity of numismatic researchers, and as a Fellow of the American Numismatic Society. His counsel has been sought by institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, Colonial Williamsburg, The Massachusetts Historical Society, Monticello, and others, and he has been quoted on numismatic topics by mainstream media around the world, including CNN, The Associated Press, National Public Radio, and BBC.​​​​​​​

Nirat Lertchitvikul is recognized for his expertise in Asian coins and paper money, with a career distinguished by decades of hands-on experience and landmark sales. His extensive knowledge, paired with his ability to connect across cultures and languages, has allowed him to build lasting relationships with collectors and institutions throughout Asia and beyond.

Over the course of his career, Nirat has played a central role in some of the most significant numismatic sales of modern times. Before Stack’s Bowers, he was involved in the sale of the treasure ship El Cazador while at RM Smythe, followed by the Robert Ebert and Magnolia Collections while at Spink New York. Since coming to Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio, he has orchestrated record-breaking auctions, including the Pinnacle Collection, setting multiple world records and cementing his reputation as a leading figure in Asian numismatics.

Nirat’s expertise has helped establish Stacks Bowers and Ponterio as the world’s leading auction house for Asian coins and paper money. In addition, he serves as one of the principal organizers of the Hong Kong Coin Show, a premier event for collectors and dealers worldwide.

Over the past two decades, Ping has traveled extensively across Asia as a leading female numismatist, working with collectors in dozens of countries and playing a central role in the sale of many of the region’s most significant collections.

Combining her deep knowledge of Asian history with fluency in multiple languages, Ping has established herself as a premier expert in the numismatic industry, striving to advance the hobby worldwide. She is widely recognized as a leading authority in Chinese numismatics, particularly within mainland China, where her expertise and contributions have influenced collectors, institutions, and the broader numismatic community. Among Chinese collectors, her reputation as a numismatist is peerless.

In 2020, Ping was a key contributor to the record-breaking 10th Anniversary Hong Kong Auction. She has handled and organized the K L Collection, the Ta Han Collection, and the SGSC Collection, among others. These landmark events set numerous world records and reaffirmed the global strength of the Asian numismatic market.

Ping’s skills have played a significant role in the success of Stacks Bowers and Ponterio as the firm has become the world’s leading auction house for Asian coins and paper money. In addition, she serves as one of the principal organizers of the Hong Kong Coin Show, a premier event for collectors and dealers worldwide.

Chris joined the Stack’s Bowers Galleries team in the summer of 2021 as a numismatist for the Philadelphia gallery. Since 2013, Chris has been avidly collecting coins, traveling to shows and immersing himself in the industry. He became a lifetime member of the ANA in 2017, attended the ANA summer seminar from 2015 through 2019. Chris graduated with honors from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in business management. His numismatic passion and expertise lie in US Coins. Some of his favorite coins include Morgan dollars, underrated low mintage gold, rainbow toned Commemorative and Walking Liberty half dollars, territorial gold coinage and much more. Chris currently serves the Philadelphia gallery as the lead counter buyer. His additional responsibilities at Stack’s Bowers Galleries include auction consignment director, coin show representative and salesperson, and both US Coin and Store Events blogger.

Aris Maragoudakis joined Stack’s Bowers Galleries in 2015 and has since become an industry leading authority in world paper money and a defining presence in the rare currency auction market. As Director of World Paper Money, he has transformed the department into the premier global platform for high-value currency. Under his leadership, the division has grown significantly over the past nine years, consistently achieving record results and becoming the go-to destination for six-figure and historically significant banknotes.

Among his most notable sales are the 1908 Zanzibar Government 5 Rupees, which brought $129,250 and set a record for the type in 2017; the 1870 Dominion of Canada $2 note payable at Victoria, sold for $360,000; and the Government of Olenets set, which realized $300,000. In the Asian market, he helped guide the sale of a 1951 People’s Republic of China 10,000 Yuan that brought over $350,000. Aris also played a key role in brokering the record-breaking private sale of a complete Zanzibar set—one of the most exclusive offerings in the category—cementing his reputation as a trusted intermediary for top-tier private collectors.

Aris has curated and marketed many of the hobby’s most celebrated collections, including the Eldorado, Paradise, Don Allen, Hobart, John E. Sandrock, and Al Kugel Collections. His expertise, and ability to pair rarity with storytelling has led to numerous record-breaking results, earning him global recognition as a discreet and trusted advisor to collectors, institutions, and estates.

Widely respected for both his knowledge, vision, and customer service, Aris has helped shape Stack’s Bowers into the leading auction house for world paper money. His expertise spans both public and private sales, and he is known for transforming collectible banknotes into cultural and historical artifacts. A fixture at major tradeshows worldwide, Aris continues to drive liquidity and innovation in the market—seen by many not just as a market maker, but as a market shaper.

Outside of numismatics, Aris enjoys spending time in Southern California with his wife, their newborn son, and their dog. He’s also an avid collector of basketball cards, modern art, and artifacts connected to Greece, South Florida, and New York City.

James McCartney joined Stack’s Bowers Galleries in 2013 and is based in the firm’s flagship 470 Park Avenue gallery in New York City. His expertise has guided some of the most significant properties Stack’s Bowers Galleries has handled in recent years including the $7 million Mocatta and $4.3 million Dr. Zito collections, as well as cataloging contributions to the world-record $150 million D. Brent Pogue Collection and special projects on behalf of the United States Mint and British Royal Mint. A lifelong collector since he was a boy growing up in New Jersey, James is enthusiastic about all 18th and 19th century U.S. type coins, Ancient Greek and Roman coins, and early European coins, as well as more niche modern specialties like Physical Bitcoins. James has spearheaded Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Physical Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency program since it’s launch in 2021 and has overseen more than $8.5 million in sales in this category. His expertise and insight can be found across industry and mass media publications like Barron’s, CNBC, COINage Magazine, CoinWeek, CoinWorld, BankNote Reporter, The Coin Dealer Newsletter/Greysheet, and others. Prior to joining Stack’s Bowers Galleries, James received a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from Rutgers University and worked as Operations Manager at a Washington, D.C. based enterprise.

In 1974, Mike began his numismatic journey as many youngsters do when he received two wheat cents in change in Chicago. In 1990, his interest in currency was piqued after his wife found an error note in her change (an item they still own today). Mike’s career includes opening his own business, MGM Currency and Collectibles in Vernon Hills, Illinois, over 15 years with Heritage Auctions in Dallas, and serving as a contract grader at PMG. He is a 25+ year member of the American Numismatic Association, Treasurer of the Professional Currency Dealers Association, a member of the Society of Paper Money Collectors, the Blue Ridge Numismatic Association, the Florida United Numismatists, the Georgia Numismatic Association, and a life member of the Illinois Numismatic Association.

Crystal is a certified multilingual translator and interpreter and is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, English and Japanese. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in languages from the University of Hong Kong and worked in sales at the Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Bank. From there she trained with Stack’s Bowers Galleries in the field of numismatic auctions and has been an integral part of the firm’s expansion in the Asian market. Her superb customer service skills have been invaluable to our bidders and consignors alike and she is a dynamic presence on site at our auctions and conventions in Hong Kong.

Ben Orooji has been a passionate coin collector for over 25 years. He spent six years as a vest pocket dealer before joining Stack’s Bowers Galleries in early 2013 as a numismatist and cataloger. An expert in all federal U.S. coinage, Ben has a specialization in Capped Bust Reeded Edge half dollars from 1836 to 1839 as well as U.S. exonumia.

Early in his career at Stack’s Bowers, Ben honed his skills cataloging and conducting research essential to the presentation of numerous numismatic rarities. Along the way, he developed a sharp eye for detail and a strategic approach to maximizing results for consignors. Today, he leads the U.S. Coin Auction Department, overseeing our award-winning catalog sales, an array of online auctions, and the firm’s weekly Precious Metals Auction events. Though primarily a U.S. coin collector, Ben maintains an eclectic and active collection that includes art medals and mementos that remind of life’s brevity and the urgency to embrace it. He holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maine and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Behavioral Forensics from the University of Central Florida. Outside of numismatics, Ben is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Tina, have been married for 20 years and share a daughter, Alyssa, with whom he treasures every moment.

Long before Matt discovered coins, he knew he had the collecting gene.  As  early as he can remember, it was always something: rocks in his younger years, and then baseball, basketball and football cards took over as his appreciation for sports developed in early adolescence.  Along the way, the introduction to small groups of coins saved by family members would spark a lifelong passion. 
Not long after getting the coin “bug,” eBay played a huge role in the development of the career side of his aspirations.  While selling rocks or cards at a profit was virtually impossible, the fledgling online auction venue presented real opportunities for a teenager to make some money in coins. Matt was able to do this by offering a pleasing presentation and excellent customer service.  Since that time, Matt has spent nearly 15 years at several prominent international auction houses, where he honed his craft, never forgetting his humble foundation: a commitment to customer service that brought his earliest successes.
Still a collector, Matt appreciates a broad spectrum of numismatic disciplines.  While the diversity of world and ancient coins receives the majority of Matt’s day-to-day attention, he still frequently finds himself searching for additions to his collection of medals and tokens depicting George Washington.  Because of their iconography, Matt also has a growing collection of Latin American coins. Depicting suns with faces, soaring mountains and native landscapes, he believes this area of coins parallels the beauty of painted art more closely than any other.

Chris Ortega has worked in the auction industry since 2003, gaining experience as a bi-lingual auctioneer and personal property appraiser. He began his career working with various government agencies, state and local municipalities, and national consumer banks conducting on-site appraisal valuations and liquidation auctions.
In 2010 he took a break to launch a luxury boutique specializing in high-end designer goods. To expand the business he successfully completed the Diamond Grading Course at the Gemological Institute of America and utilized digital marketing to further grow the business. While the business was a success, Chris decided to use his new-found expertise to return to a career in the auction industry.
Since 2017, Chris has served as an auctioneer and numismatist at Stack’s Bowers Galleries. He is responsible for identifying and evaluating all incoming consignments, collections, and preparing them for auction. His favorite coin motifs are the Draped Bust and Gobrecht silver dollar designs. Highlights of his career as an auctioneer include the sale of two 1804 silver dollars, one from the Pogue Collection and one from the Larry H. Miller Collection, as well as an 1894-S Barber dime. Each of these numismatic rarities realized an excess of one million dollars.
Outside of the office Chris enjoys jogging and exercising, researching wrist watches, and spending time with his family.

John has been involved in numismatics for over 35 years. Previous to relocating to our corporate headquarters in California, John worked with Q. David Bowers in our Wolfeboro, New Hampshire office for 15 years. During that time he worked with consignors guiding their collections through the auction process under the firm names Auctions by Bowers and Merena, American Numismatic Rarities, Stack’s, and Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

John is one of our primary contacts for auction consignments, and personally oversees many aspects of our auction presentations. He has worked with thousands of consignments over the years, including such well-known names as Eliasberg, Norweb, Bass, Pogue, and many others that would be readily recognized from our catalogs. His numismatic interests cover a broad spectrum but are presently focused mostly on American numismatics.

In addition to working with consignors, he regularly catalogs special projects including, most recently, the Twin Leaf Collections of United States Large Cents and State Coppers, Washington medals from the William Spohn Baker Collection on behalf of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Larry Ness Collection of Indian Peace Medals and the D. Brent Pogue Numismatic Library. Earlier projects of note include our presentations of the American Bank Note Company Archives, the archives of Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., the treasure coins of the S.S. New York, the native gold crystals from the Roraima Shield Collection, the record-setting presentation of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection of United States paper money in 1999, and many other smaller offerings.

As a member of a family with three generations of numismatists, it was with great anticipation that Kyle Ponterio continued his family tradition. Kyle joined Ponterio & Associates in 2005, when he started out packaging in the shipping room, along with imaging for the print and online catalogs. Soon after, with the guidance of his father Rick Ponterio, and brother Kent Ponterio, he began learning numismatics at a rapid pace. He then started cataloging coins for auction, doing numismatic research, and buying and selling coins, as the latest numismatic specialist at Stack's Bowers Galleries.

Although Kyle credits his father and brother for his success in numismatics, he brings a fresh new pair of eyes to the company. He enjoys traveling to shows because it gives him the opportunity to look at other's cases and enjoy their collections. Kyle collects sun face coins and necessity money. He is an American Numismatic Association (ANA) member, and also attends monthly meetings of the Greater Orange County Coin Club.​​​

Richard Ponterio began collecting coins as a young boy at about the age of 10. His interests in numismatics first peaked while working for his uncle who owned a vending machine company. During the summer, Rick would accompany his uncle along his route, re-stocking the machines and collecting the monies which had been deposited. At the end of each day, the two of them would search through the coins for dates and varieties they needed for their collections. In 1972 he decided to make numismatics his full-time profession.​​​​

From 1974–1982, he helped co-found the firm Ponterio & Wyatt, conducting mail bid auctions, price lists, and attending major coin shows. In 1982, he formed the company Ponterio & Associates, which was accepted into the International Association of Professional Numismatist (IAPN) in 1988. He also served on the executive committee of the IAPN for eight years. He joined the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) in 1979, and served on its board of directors for six Years. He is an ANA life member and is the president of the New York International Numismatics Convention.​

Steve Price started collecting coins at the age of 9. After serving in the Marine Corps, Steve pursued his passion for numismatics and opened his coin store, Penny Lane Coin, in Costa Mesa, California. Shortly after opening his store he began working as a consultant for Stack’s Bowers Galleries, a position that soon developed into a full time job with the company. Steve’s area of expertise is United States coins, a field in which he is well versed in market values. He also enjoys research on varieties and mint errors.​

Mark began collecting coins before age ten, inspired by Indian cents and Morgan dollars from his grandmother. He built a collection of Walking Liberty half dollars from his mother’s change and soon turned to coin dealers to find missing pieces. Regular visits to Stack’s on West 57th Street allowed him to upgrade his set by selecting top coins from date rolls without paying a premium. Over time, he developed a passion for early half dollars and assembled one of the finest and most complete sets of Heraldic Eagle half dollars by Overton variety, sourced primarily from Stack’s and Bowers and Merena.

Mark began his professional numismatic career in Philadelphia, working part-time for Andy Kaufman of Coins and Currency Inc. while studying at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both his BA and an MBA from the Wharton School. After graduation, he explored other professional paths but remained an avid collector, eventually returning to numismatics full-time in 2012.

A passionate collector—and self-described hoarder—Mark also amasses antique telephones, radios, electric fans, toasters, vintage toys, and other early technology. Mark has been a member of the ANA for over 35 years as well as a member of the John Reich Collectors Society, the Gold Coast Coin Club, and the Antique Telephone Collectors Association.

As the Director of East Coast Retail, Mark is responsible for the opening of the Stack’s Bowers Retail Galleries in Philadelphia, Boston and Miami and looks forward to the opening additional locations in the upcoming years.

Larry spent the early part of his life in Texas, later moving to the Saint Louis, Missouri area, where he now resides. A lifelong coin collector, Larry attributes his passion for numismatics to his parents, who introduced him to the hobby at an early age by encouraging collecting wheat cents from circulation and saving up to buy the occasional Morgan dollar from the local coin shop. Larry’s collection is always changing but he has a particular fondness for high end United State type coins and the Spanish colonial coinage of Mexico.

A maker / engineer by nature, it was not long before Larry looked to combine his loves of technology and numismatics, creating innovations including Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ patent pending technology: Coins in Motion. Coins in Motion creates high resolution coin animations that accurately capture the in-hand visual appeal of rare coins and other numismatic treasures.

Larry spends much of his free time cultivating the next generation of coin collectors, including by creating and producing content for online locations where the younger generations gather – YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, etc. He has been on the moderation team for Reddit.com/r/coins for the better part of a decade, a community that has seen a nearly 700% growth in membership (to over 71,000 by the end of 2020). These are almost exclusively younger collectors. Larry also maintains an active numismatic YouTube channel with over 100 videos.

Maryna Synytsya joined Stack’s Bowers Galleries in 2011 and runs the company’s corporate office in Paris.  Multicultural and multilingual – fluent in French, English, Russian, as well as basic Italian and German - Maryna helps our numismatic experts as a liaison to European clients. She also travels to​ major European shows to represent Stack’s Bowers, to promote the company and to seek auction consignments.
Maryna is professional, detail-oriented and holds a Master’s degree from Lyon University of Art and Luxury Industry. She is personable, outgoing and a pleasure to work with.  These skills make her adept at customer service and an asset for client relationships.

With over 20 years of experience as a professional numismatist, Peter Treglia brings a wealth of knowledge to his position as Director of Currency for Stack’s Bowers Galleries. He purchased his first coin at the age of 14, became a dealer almost immediately at age 15, and quickly discovered paper money, thanks to the Internet. After collecting paper money for about a year, Peter started selling notes on eBay. Once he realized that he could make money-trading currency, he immediately became hooked.

In February 2005, Peter was hired as one of the five original currency graders for Paper Money Guaranty (PMG). After working for PMG for seven months, Peter left the firm to start his own currency venture. Soon after, Spectrum Group International CEO Greg Roberts asked him to lead the Spectrum Numismatics (now Stack’s Bowers Galleries) currency division. Since the Stack’s Bowers Galleries/Spectrum Numismatics/Teletrade merger, he has overseen the Stack’s Bowers Galleries paper money cataloging and consignment teams, in addition to his primary duties buying currency.

Peter is a Life Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Society of Paper Money Collectors (SPMC), and is also a member and Past President of the Professional Currency Dealers Association (PCDA).

Hernán Urrutia is a numismatist and entrepreneur with a background in finance. Born in Venezuela, he moved to the United States for his education, graduating from Florida International University (FIU) in Miami in 2006. His passion for coins and banknotes began at a young age when his father introduced him to a Venezuelan banknote—without a serial number or signatures—igniting a lifelong dedication to the field.

Hernán began his numismatic journey in the early 2000s, attending his first major show at the New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC). Specializing in Latin American coins, he has actively participated in major numismatic events across the United States. While living in Panama, he served as Vice President of the Panama Numismatic Association (ASONUM), playing a key role in organizing events and fostering numismatic interest in the region. Hernán has also been an active member of several prestigious numismatic associations, including NUMISCOL in Colombia, ASONUM in Panama, and the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in the United States.

In addition to his numismatic talents, Hernán has a strong foundation in finance and entrepreneurship. Before joining Stack’s Bowers Galleries, he successfully owned and managed multiple businesses, solidifying his expertise in business development and investment strategies. Today, he continues to play a key role in the numismatic community, leveraging his knowledge of Latin American coinage to assist collectors and investors worldwide.

Vicken Yegparian, one of our auction consignment directors, is a numismatist specializing in United States, Ancient and World coins, in addition to U.S. medals. He is very much involved with the day-to-day operations running the auction business.​

A graduate of Columbia University, Vicken was the first recipient of the Georgia Stamm Chamberlain Memorial Award of the Medal Collectors of America for his presentation on colonial era medals of his alma mater, "The Silver Medals of the King's College Literary Society, 1767-1771," delivered at the 2004 Coinage of the Americas Conference (COAC) held by the ANS. At the 2006 COAC, he collaborated with Roger Siboni, ANS President, on "Mark Newby and His St. Patrick Halfpence." Elected a Fellow of the ANS, he is also a member of many numismatic organizations, including the ANA, the Colonial Coin Collectors Club, the John Reich Collectors Society, the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, the Medal Collectors of America, and the Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cent Collectors Club, among numerous other specialty organizations.​​

Frederick Yow is a Consignment Director based in Singapore and serves clients in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia as well as greater Asia. Fred's interest in numismatics started early as a schoolboy, collecting world coins from travelling sailors. In 1993, he was introduced to the world of paper money and has been an avid collector ever since. A notable milestone of his numismatic journey was the acquisition of key "Private Bank of Singapore" notes from the famed Dr. Chan Chin Cheung Collection in 1996. He has served as co-writer and editor of "Banknotes of British Malaya, The Frank Goon Collection" published by Spink. This notable work was selected as the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) Book of The Year in 2012.

Zhou Shou Yuan, who had been collecting stamps and coins since the 1990s, joined Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio as a Numismatic and Information Technology Consultant in Mainland Ch​ina in September 2015.

In 2013, Zhou Shou Yuan founded Shouxi.com, to serve collectors interested in Chinese coins. Shouxi.com provides timely, comprehensive, authoritative and independent third party information and services, including news, archives, forums, agent bidding, consignment, shopping and more.

Shouxi.com has co-hosted a series of International Coin Expositions and other large coin events and has cooperated with 40 coin companies and associations worldwide. Shouxi.com is the most influential brand among online and offline interactive platforms in Chinese numismatics.

Zhou Shou Yuan is a graduate of the Wuhan University Electrical Engineering College, with expertise in electric power training, news reports, media relations, consulting, and more. He has 15 years of cross-industrial and management experience and a very strong relationship with Internet, print and television media.​